English Queen Cakes

English Queen Cakes

June 2: Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II (1953)

Long live the Queen! Elizabeth II was crowned Queen of England and the Commonwealth, following more than a year-long mourning period of the death of  the preceding sovereign. Her father, King George VI, died on February 6, 1952, and the royal heiress ascended the throne.

A grand coronation ceremony took place on June 2, 1953, at Westminster Abbey. Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Silver Jubilee in 1977 and her Golden Jubilee in 2002. Year-long celebrations are taking place worldwide for her Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

Have an at-home royal watch party (when the media cover the various Diamond Jubilee events) and include English Queen Cakes for a majestic menu. These individual, simply sweet sponge cakes are tasty as a tea time treat and are appropriate for commemorating the coronation of an English queen!

Recipe

(Adapted from Cook It Simply)

Ingredients

  • ½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup flour
  • ¾ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup golden raisins (sultanas)

Directions

Line a muffin tin with cupcake papers (we used gold colored liners). In a large bowl, cream the butter with the sugar. In a cup, beat the eggs. Pour the beaten eggs into the butter-sugar mixture. Mix well. In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Add the flour mixture into the butter-sugar-egg mix. Blend well until the batter is smooth.

English Queen Cakes

Fold in the raisins. Scoop into cupcake liners no more than half full. Bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees F for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool completely on wire racks. Yield: 6-8 cupcakes or 12-16 mini-muffins.

English Queen Cakes 

Notes